AFC Bournemouth: Francis hails Suarez as world's in-form player

SIMON Francis believes Cherries will be facing the world’s best player in Liverpool’s Luis Suarez.

Suarez leads the Premier League scoring charts with an incredible 22 goals in 17 appearances this term.

Should the 26-year-old be selected against Cherries in the FA Cup fourth round clash at Dean Court, Francis is likely to be one of the defenders tasked with stopping him.

And former Charlton right-back Francis reckons, on recent form, Suarez is the leading light in global |football.

Francis told the Daily Echo: “On form right now over the past few months, he is the best player in the world.

“You have Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi but Suarez, watching him week in, week out in what I think is the toughest league in Europe, absolutely tears defences to bits on his own.

“He is a class act and one we are going to have to be wary about – that is a no-brainer – and just hope that he doesn’t get too many chances on goal.

“One thing you do not want is him turning and getting at you because that is when his bag of tricks comes out.

“You would probably be happy with him if he has his back to goal near the halfway line – that is about the only time when you would feel a bit safe and even then he would probably wriggle out of it! You just hope that on the day, he is not bang in form.”

On the prospect of locking horns with the Uruguay striker, Francis added: “I will definitely be trying to keep my legs shut, that is for sure!

“With the amount of nutmegs he likes to try to get in a game, I don’t want to be getting embarrassed too much on TV!”

This game will be full of goals sadly I feel against us (Bournemouth) - however we have nothing to lose and lets give them a game and who knows? Liverpool have two of the best strikers currently (apart from Man City) and goals are a guarantee, unless they are rested lol.

This game will be full of goals sadly I feel against us (Bournemouth) - however we have nothing to lose and lets give them a game and who knows? Liverpool have two of the best strikers currently (apart from Man City) and goals are a guarantee, unless they are rested lol.Kevin_123

I think we all realise that it's going to be a very long afternoon for our defenders if Suarez starts the match. However, our team should use this experience to compare their levels of fitness, skill and athleticism with those required to play at Premiership level.

I think we all realise that it's going to be a very long afternoon for our defenders if Suarez starts the match. However, our team should use this experience to compare their levels of fitness, skill and athleticism with those required to play at Premiership level.In Absentia